Weekend at the Farm with Ty and Val

Ty, Val and Leo spent the weekend at the farm...lots of fun,

laughter, long hikes, pictures, outdoors and good food!

Farm Updates - Spring 2019 Edition

The cabin door got fancied up! Kiera picked the door color which we love. She may or may not have picked it solely on the name..."spun honey."To finish the look off,  Dave installed a new door knob and a keyless "smart" lock and I found this durable metal wreath at Hobby Lobby. 

 This spring, we planned to get two new hives, to bring our total up to four. However, one of our hives didn't survive the winter so we now have three hives. Here's the queen bee, before she gets added to the hive. 

 The Kette Combs (Thanks for the punny name, Emily!)

 We finally found recliners for the cabin! It took some time to find just the right ones, as the space is so small. The recliners maybe small, but they are comfy.

Blue pillow or yellow pillow? We couldn't decide so we ended up

layering the pillows, the yellow in the back, the blue up front (not pictured).

The ramps are just budding out

 New rug from Costco. I don't love the way the pattern
looks in the cabin (I wish it was more natural looking) but
the rug is soooo soft and supple that we're keeping it!

What's New at the Cabin?

A new refrigerator...actually two separate units 

put together to look like one. A separate freezer unit

will go to the left of the fridge (where the Pepsi is)

Quartz Countertops

Cabin Cabinets

The cabinets were installed at the farm.

We were a little worried that all of the dark

cabinets would make the small cabin seem

even smaller, but they are perfect! They are

custom-made Amish cabinets. Can't wait to

fill them up with all of our stuff! The beds will

be installed next week. It's been a slow process,

but it's all coming together!

Kitchen 

(opening for microwave and below it a stove)

The sink will be in the left corner and a little

breakfast bar will be extended over the refrigerator,

freezer and mini-dishwasher. Countertops will

be coming shortly!

This is the laundry room/storage area, the big tall 

cabinet conceals the hot water tank. To the right

of the cabinet will be a stackable washer and dryer.

 There are two of these cabinets flanking the sliding

glass door to the four seasons room. This one, to the

left of the door hides the electrical panel and has a little 

storage. The one to the right (no pic) will be an "entry

way closet" for coats, etc.

 This is the most beautiful piece...a free standing 

armiore in "Kiera's room" under the loft. It will

be for storage and will have a bar for hanging clothes.

The built-in bunkbeds will be opposite this piece.

Cabin Update - Porch

Weekend One: 

After the main posts were installed (they were stained the previous weekend), it was time for the roof. The roof then had the ceiling installed using the same pine boards as the interior of the cabin. The contrast of the dark beams and light pine is awesome!

Weekend Two: 

   

We are going to put a long breakfast bar along the left side of the porch. We found these Restoration Hardware stools for a good price on the Bay Village Buy, Sell, Trade page. They're just what we were  searching for!

 The ceiling beams were stained...love the contrast!

Ready and waiting for the sliding glass doors

 The heating and air conditioning system was installed.

The roofers will build a mini roof over the unit to 

protect it from the elements.

The center beam was placed in the ceiling

 Kiera planted a few wildflower seeds in the garden and this was the

one of the only seeds that made it to flower.

 Barn Jenga anyone? The barn is being restored.
Dave took a quick peek in the barn to investigate the
cribbing. She's stable now, but still needs a lot of work!

Cabin Update

The process of converting the shed into a mini cabin is slow but sure. Here are some pics from the first  and second major work weekends. The loft was raised a foot to allow for a larger bunk room underneath, installed the sliding glass door (for a screened in porch) the framing was built for the bathroom and kitchen area and insulation was hung. Dave also installed bird feeders in hopes to help control the bugs naturally and also to enjoy birdwatching.

Above the slider door...TV, baby! 

 Loft Bedroom

 Framing for kitchenette and bathroom behind

 Loft 

 Standing in the bunk room looking into the bathroom...

notice framing for the pocket door

 There are eight of these around the farm

 Semi-frozen pond

 Looking up the hill behind the pond

On the dam, looking up to the knoll 

 Blueberry Bushes

 The beautiful blue sky...and a speck of a buzzard

 View from the cabin window

 Weekend Three of Cabin Work...this time with the help of two little ladies, and one big lady to take pics and document (though Dave and the guys did a pretty good job the last two weekends!)

 Front view

 Climbing the temporary ladder to the loft

 In the loft looking out

 Weekend Three included help from our friend, Ron the electrician, 

to rough in the electrical

 Kiera took these next few (as if you couldn't tell) Me pondering 

where to plant flowers...

 Ma and Pa Kette 

 Kiera captures an awkward moment...Dave breakdancing? 

 Lately I have to take this trilogy of silly pics (peace sign over the eye,
peace sign, and eye goggles)  before she gives me a good smile...

 When they were moving rocks to build a rock wall, our friend Joe

found this little guy...score! This little love now sits on our front

porch at home.  Just in time for Easter!

 The decrepit barn...

 ...gets a little lift from Kiera

Taking a hike up the new stream bed

The natural spring crock...aka The Easiest Salamander 

Catching Spot...aka Kiera's New Favorite Spot

This used to be a valley of pine trees...

it's shaping up to become a perch pond